Royal Institution of Naval ArchitectsThe Royal Institution of Naval Architects is an internationally renowned professional institution whose members are involved at all levels in the design, construction, repair and operation of ships, boats and marine structures worldwide.United Kingdom

Advanced Technology InstituteThe Advanced Technology Institute is a private, non-profit corporation located in the Trident Research Center, North Charleston, S.C. USA South Carolina

AEDIMAR (AGRUPACIÓN ESPAÑOLA)AEDIMAR is an association set up by companies of the auxiliary shipbuilding industry, mainly by equipment manufacturers and service companies for the marine sectorSpain

The Maritime TrustThe Maritime Trust is a registered charity set up to preserve British ships of historic or technical significance and to display them to the public. Over twenty vessels have been restored that would otherwise have been lost to future generations.United Kingdom

Shipbuilding Dispute Goes to WTO

10/3/2002

European Union foreign ministers decided on 30th September to take a long-standing dispute over South Korean shipbuilding subsidies to the World Trade Organization. The EU decided on the move after high-level talks between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and top EU officials failed to reach agreement. In recommending to the foreign ministers that the EU take the case to the WTO, EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy added that further talks last week also failed to reach a deal.

Mr. Lamy added, “there was lack of support of the Korean industry for such an agreement”. South Korea has already threatened to countersue if the EU takes the issue to the WTO. The EU decision follows a long-running dispute over alleged unfair shipbuilding subsidies.In recent years, EU shipyards have been losing market share to the Southeast Asian nation. As part of the WTO case, the EU foreign ministers also approved plans to restart their own aid to European shipyards, which were abolished at the end of 2000.